Promissing start disappears in the final period as Devils hit 4 straight
after a A 1-1 first period, a 1-1 second period and all to play for in the final session but it wasn’t to be for the Steelers as the Devils hit 4 without reply to win 6-2
It started well for the Steelers with Mitchell Balmas scoring after 12 minutes, we went into the first break 1-1 after Evan Mosey equalised. Olischefski put the Devils ahead before Marco Vallerand fed mark Simpson to tie it 2-2 after 40 minutes
Then it was all Cardiff in the goal scoring charts with strikes by Martin (2), Sanford and Donaghey
No Huttula for the Steelers of Finlay Ulrick returned as did Marco De-Filippo.
First period …
Cardiff with the early chances but Matt Greenfield had things under control.
Moments after Josh Batch had fired wide, Robert Dowd went close with Carruth making the save.
5.14 and Devils took a high sticking minor penalty with Gourley sent to the box.
Daniel Ciampini pulled a great moved, spun on a sixpence and Bach handed a shot that hit Carruth in the mask
12.56 Steelers lead 1-0 with Mitchell Balmas the scorer, however the story of the goal was the interception by Marco Vallerand and the perfect pass that gave Balmas the time to pick his spot
Mosey with a great chance in front of Greenfield, the D jump in and block the shot.
Vallerand creates a chance for Watling but he is at too tight an angle and Carruth makes a regulation save.
16.31 and the game is tied 1-1
Long shot through traffic is well saved by Greenfield but the rebound falls nicely for Evan Mosey to score from close range
17.56 Devils penalty against Cole Sanford for hooking Sasha Guimound
A better play this time than the first with the Steelers zipping the puck around, they couldn’t find that one opening though and Cardiff kill
Leavens crashes the net but again Carruth seeing it well tonight and covers up
End of the first period Devils 1-1 Steelers
Second Period
Diffley with an early couple of chances, both of his shots made it through but Steelers couldn’t pick up any rebounds.
A blast from Guimond is well saved by Carruth
23.55 Penalty Steelers, Patrick Watling for tripping and an early short handed chance for Ciampini who went end to end and forced a save from Carruth
Save Greenfield off a blast from Sanford
Steelers killed and Watling returned, a few seconds later a stretch pass gives him a breakaway but again Carruth makes the save
Leavens and Simpson do well and create their own 2 on 1 but the save is made on Simpsons shot
30.06 Out of nothing the Devils take the lead. A shot through traffic finds Olischefski’s stick and the puck goes under Matt Greenfield
Greenfield than made the save of the night to keep the score at 2-1, his leg elevated kicks the puck away when it looks like a certain goal
31.21 and Vallerand does it again, he makes a great play to get free and them delivers an inch perfect pass to Mark Simpson who is clinical with his finish and the game is tied 2-2
Ciampini has been creative all night and he weaved through two zones and gets a shot away that Carruth saves. Then moments later he gets another shot away that Carruth kicks away
At the other end, Martin with the shot, Barrow got a tip but the puck flashes past Greenfield’s goal
Last chance of the period to Guimond who takes a shot that Josh Batch took offence of thinking the hooter had sounded, a bit of afters but the period ends …
Devils 2-2 Steelers
Third Period
Early chance for Balmas with Carruth kicking his shot away
47.47 and a shot comes in that Greenfield makes a great save with, all the players crash the net with Martin finally get his stick to the loose puck and a 3-2 advantage.
Batch for interference at 50.02 and the third power play of the night to the Steelers, it was killed by the Devils after some exceptional work from Ryan Barrow.
Chances came and went, Balmas and Simpson going close but the Devils always looking dangerous on the break.
Saucerman went close with a great shot that Carruth couldn’t hold, it fell from his glove and glided through the crease and past the post
54.42 and it was game over when Sanford went top shelf over the glove of Greenfield to make it 4-2
With 2.43 remains Greenfield was pulled to the bench as the Steelers went looking for goals but it wasn’t to be with the Devils netting a 5th and the second of the period to Joey Martin into an empty net at 58.15
The to rub salt into the wounds Cody Donaghey first one through a screen that Greenfield didn’t see to make it 6-2
Final score: Cardiff Devils 6-2 Steelers
Next Home Game on Saturday
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